Breaking news reporter

Traffic delays have been caused by a truck on fire. Photo: smh.com.au reader

Major traffic delays are being experienced on the approach to Sydney Airport after a truck burst into flames on Southern Cross Drive.

Police said all south-bound lanes of Southern Cross Drive at Eastlakes had been closed after the truck caught alight near Wentworth Avenue about 8.40am on Friday.

The Eastern Distributor also has been closed south-bound from the Bondi/Randwick exit, and South Dowling Street has been closed south-bound at Todman Avenue.

Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the cabin of the truck, however a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said the driver did not require medical treatment.

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The truck is believed to have pulled to the side of the road before the cabin was engulfed in flames. Passing motorists called triple-0. One man who was heading into the city from the airport at the time said the fire engulfing the truck was extremely intense.

"There was a lot of black smoke, and police and fire trucks were coming from all directions," he said.

"The whole cab and the bush around it caught fire."

The Transport Management Centre said traffic delays were expected for some time.

"Motorists are advised to continue to avoid the area as traffic is very heavy and there are significant delays in both directions," a spokesperson said.

"South-bound motorists are advised to use Anzac Parade and Gardeners Road or Botany Road and O'Riordan Street to access Sydney Airport."

City-bound traffic was queued up for about 5.5 kilometres after the truck crashed near the Fairford Road on-ramp about 8.30am.

The Transport Management Centre said one of two city-bound lanes of the M5 at Padstow would close at 9pm on Friday, and both lanes would be closed at 10pm.

The Fairford Road on-ramp will also close at 9pm while the salvage is taking place.

"Due to the complex nature of the salvage operation, all city-bound lanes of the M5 are expected to remain closed for several hours," the spokesperson said.